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Serving the Hispanic Community

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Serving the Hispanic Community

Prince George's County Memorial Library System, Md.

Equity and Inclusion | 2020

Innovation Synopsis

2020 has marked many significant transformations for PGCMLS with expanded service to Spanish speaking and Hispanic customers. The library launched a new Spanish language portal for its website called "Su biblioteca," an expanded Hispanic Heritage webpage, virtual programs for Spanish speakers (children and adults) and a partnership with DC United.

Challenge/Opportunity

Prince George's County's population is 19.5% Hispanic and the library has expanded digital access, programs, outreach and marketing to serve this growing and thriving community. While the library has been steadily improving Spanish language access and representation of Hispanic culture in its programs and services, the library's Communication and Outreach and Branch teams accomplished major innovations in 2020, especially important given the health and economic crises that disproportionately are affecting Hispanics.


Key Elements of Innovation

The "Su biblioteca" portal provides customized information and resources for Spanish speakers and local Hispanics, improving access to online resources like the Colombian online resource Make Make, which was added to increase children's book holdings for native speakers. The new Hispanic Heritage page provides a hub for celebrating the community and educating about history to foster cross-cultural understanding. New programs like Biblioniños, Café a las cuatro and DC United Spanish storytimes serve Spanish speakers.


Achieved Outcomes

Prince George's County's Spanish language programs and online library content has been unmatched regionally during COVID-19. This has deepened the library's relationship with the community and it has strengthened ties with local leaders through representation on the County Latino Advisory Board, partnering with the County Council on Welcoming Week and hosting 32+ virtual Hispanic Heritage Programs. A new Spanish Ask a Librarian call center launches in October 2020. This models how to improve access for more languages.